ABOUT US
The Multicultural Alliance® and its programming represent all types of diversity including but not limited to race, ethnicity, age, ability/disability, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. Our goal is to promote an inclusive community, eliminate bias, bigotry, and oppression and encourage understanding and equity of all diversity through shared experiences and educational programming.
The Multicultural Alliance® provides programming and educational forums that address the opportunities and challenges of living in a pluralistic society. The organization promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. In affirmation of the founding principles, the organization exists to promote individual and group dignity, cooperation, mutual understanding, and respect among all peoples.
BOARD MEMBERS
Rick Baumeister, Presiding Chair
JoAnn Jensen, Chair - Elect
Jennifer de Haro, Past Presiding Chair
LaTonya Woodson, PhD, Vice Chair
Karen Telschow Johnson, JD, Secretary
Kelly Hein, Jr., CPA, Treasurer
M. Sameer Ahmed, JD
Arlene Barnett, DDS
Marvin Blum, JD
Kristel Carter, RN
Fernando Costa
Kim Cummings
Jeanelle Davis
Kelly Decker, JD
Asra Khan, PhD
Ethan Klos
Philip Lamsens, JD
Erma E. Lee
Salima Madhani, RN
Ahmed Memon, MD
Farah Memon
Sheeza Mohsin, PhD
Kate Norris, PhD
Todd Podell, JD
Jody Sanders, JD
Ayesha Sayany Shafi
Robert Simon, JD
Vern Spurlock
Jeff Whitfield, JD
STAFF
Adrianne Richardson Collins, M.Ed. | President
As an involved member of the Fort Worth community, Adrianne Richardson Collins brings a wealth of specific skills and gifts to the Multicultural Alliance. Born in Los Angeles, California, she moved to Texas with her parents and completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Texas at Arlington and Dallas Baptist University. Adrianne began her early career with Tarrant County Juvenile Services and eventually began teaching with the Fort Worth Independent School District.
Retiring as an assistant principal, Adrianne accepted the position of president with the Multicultural Alliance in May 2024. Adrianne Richardson Collins and her husband parent a son and she is an involved member, group leader and church musician in the community.
Prior to being president of the Multicultural Alliance, Adrianne was a dedicated volunteer, serving as an advisor for Camp CommUNITY, a participant in table talks and the People's Art Collaborative, as well as a member of an interfaith dialogue..
Paul Jung | Programming & Operations
Paul served as a board member of the Multicultural Alliance for more than 12 years, including two terms as a presiding chair. After a career of more than 30 years in the high tech industry, he has joined the Multicultural Alliance to focus on all programming, including the annual Camp CommUNITY. Born in Toronto, Canada, he was brought up in New York, where he completed his undergraduate degree at New York University. Starting his career as a software engineer, Paul has served in many roles, primarily in the Human Capital Management sector, including consulting services leader, solutions architect, sales executive, and more recently, senior program leader for large scale implementation projects. Of note, he served as one of the lead architects for the OneTen initiative, a project that has a goal to place one million Black Americans into family sustaining careers in ten years.
Relocating his family from New York to Fort Worth in 2003, Paul has two college-age children - both of whom attended Camp CommUNITY as Delegates. In 2023, his son served as a Camp CommUNITY Counselor.
A frequent speaker on topics relating to building inclusive communities, Paul has also participated in every program offered by the Multicultural Alliance. One of his favorite activities is to serve as facilitator for Table Talks.
Cheryl Kimberling, Ph.D. | President Emerita
Thirty years as an educator in higher education in our community, Dr. Kimberling brings a unique match of talents and abilities to the Multicultural Alliance. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Memphis. In 1976 she moved to Fort Worth to attend Southwestern Seminary and upon her graduation from seminary, her professional experiences began as Professor of Sociology at Tarrant County College and then as the Executive Director of the TCC Foundation. She has held administrative positions at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Additionally, she holds an adjunct faculty position at Texas Christian University in the sociology department. In August 2006, she retired from the University of North Texas Health Science Center as Vice President to become the President of the Multicultural Alliance where she continued until her retirement in May 2024.
Dr. Kimberling is a frequent speaker on diversity and inclusion, and interfaith understanding and collaboration.
PARTNERS
Forth Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
COSTS: The Council of Southwest Theological Schools
Courage & Renewal - North Texas
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc.
Tarrant Area Community of Churches
City of Fort Worth - City Manager's Diversity Committee
Brite Divinity School - Gates of Chai Lectureship
Tarrant County Juvenile Services
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County
Local ISDs and Private Schools